A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.
Chapter 11- Every action has its consequences
Jasper's POV-
"He killed them!"
"He did it to protect her!"
"She did not need his protection. He broke the treaty!"
"He did not drink from them, as was mentioned in the treaty."
"Still, it is a violation of the treaty. Leave this area and never return, or we will be forced to attack."
"As if we are afraid of you attacking us, we are much more powerful, we will let you know."
"Yeah…in that case, why don't we test it out?"
"Any time, be prepared to lose."
"You will be the one to lose, bloodsucker."
"Talks the mutt,"
"Enough!" A loud shout resounded through the air, the sound echoing in the woods surrounding us, just as a vampire and a shape shifter were about to fight with one another, proud declarations of them turning out to be victorious already made.
I wish I could say this was the beginning of a bad joke, but it really wasn't.
This was fucking reality- the ten of us standing on one side of the treaty line facing equal number of shape shifters- three in their human form and others in their taken form- and of course, the humans amidst us- Bella, the chief of their tribe and another man who I assumed was one of their elders from his mannerism- although he was perfectly content with standing by the side and letting their chief speak.
The man, who had just spoken though, was the chief of their tribe, Billy, from what I had heard the others call him.
"Is this a high school cafeteria wherein you can behave however you want and get away with it?" his accusatory voice turned to look at each one of us. "I am aware that most of you belong to that bracket of age, but at least try to act mature, for our sake if not otherwise. Have you forgotten the decorum of a formal meeting? Is this how one behaves in a formal meeting between two mature parties who have come together to discuss their alliance?" the last part was more focusing upon his own, rather than us, and I saw a few of them bow down their head in embarrassment.
"They broke the treaty!" One shape shifter in his human form accused, ignoring the words of his elder. "Either they leave or we kill them."
Rosalie scoffed at that, disgust apparent on her face. "I would like you to try, and we will not leave. This is our home. You have a problem, look the other way."
"You will have to leave. Don't test us, leech." The shape shifter growled at her, Emmett sneering back at him, taking a step forward in order to attack.
"Oh, I will. Do your best." Rosalie growled at him, her eyes never straying away from him.
"Rosalie, enough," Carlisle was the one to speak, surprisingly enough. I was under the impression that he lost his voice and capacity to bear rational thoughts during difficult or testing times, or at least he liked to behave like that- letting his side-kick turned leader take the lead in almost every situation.
And sure enough…..
"I still don't understand why Jasper needed to kill them, though. I mean, what is it to us? She is just a human."
The nonchalance in his tone was enough to muster a few loud growls from the shape shifters- the implication of his words not needed to be specified, a glare from the humans present, and a look of shocked disgust from Bella, who continued to glare at him for a short while, almost as if she were imagining the sweet beauty of burning him with her touch.
Damn. I really would not mind that, much.
"It is okay, Eddie boy," Peter spoke up, a sigh accompanying his words. "We will break it down for you children in easier words when we go home. Let the adults talk for now."
I hid my chuckle at his words- watching as Edward growled at him- empty vessels making a lot of noise.
"Peter is correct, Edward." Carlisle sighed, almost as if admitting that one sentence had left a bitter taste in his mouth. "It will be better for the situation if only Mr. Black and I converse."
"But…"
"Paul," Billy stated in a no- nonsense tone. "If you wish to stay in your human form, learn to be quiet. Otherwise I will ask Jacob to order you into staying a wolf."
The one named Paul grumbled, but chose to remain quiet.
"Mr. Black," Carlisle said, a small smile accompanying his words. "Let's start from the beginning. You wanted to meet us."
Billy stared at him, his face expressionless. "I am no fool, Dr. Cullen. And I will appreciate it if you don't treat me like one. You very well know why you have been called to meet us."
Carlisle's smile faltered a bit, but he managed to keep his composure.
"Of course, unfortunately, I don't have all the details of what occurred today. You see, the newest member of my family was yet to return home when we received your call. Jasper, could you please tell us the events of what transpired this evening?" Carlisle raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to speak.
I sighed, selecting my words wisely.
Of course I could not mention that I had been stalking Bella.
That was a big no…if I wanted to keep my head attached to my shoulders, that is.
"I was in the area," I started to speak. "I heard a noise and went to check…."
"Why were you in the area?" the alpha demanded to know.
"Personal reasons that have nothing to do with you or your tribe," I shrugged, meeting his eyes, daring him to demand further explanation.
He nodded his head, not liking my answer but accepting it.
Good boy. I smirked at him in response.
"Anyway, I heard a noise and went to check. Needless to mention, the girl had been Bella."
"I had handled it. I did not need your interference." Bella spoke up, glaring at me in anger and defiance.
"I did not do it for you." I half lied; the truth still bitter for me to swallow. "Those men were no novice. I did it for all those girls whose life will now be saved…who won't have to experience the worry and fear you, and several before you, went through."
I saw her shudder, the alpha wrapping his huge arms around her- giving her the support she needed in the moment.
I involuntarily growled at him, my eyes never moving from his massive sized- giant like- hand.
Why was he touching her?
There was absolutely no need for him to touch her.
Didn't he know how to speak?
Why did he need to express his support through touch?
That was completely unnecessary.
It was infuriating, to say the least. I felt like punching something, or rather- him.
Yeah, that would be a great idea.
Peter raised an eyebrow at me in question, but I ignored him- my eyes never moving from her- and him, who were still touching her.
Damn it!
Would it be considered breaking the treaty if I went across the treaty line and punched him hard for putting his monster sized hands on her?
Why the fuck did I even care?
It was her decision of who touched her, and it did not seem like she minded….then why the fuck was I getting so angry and annoyed on seeing him touch her?
Why on earth did I wish to punch him hard- on the face?
"Did you drink from them?"Billy asked me, grabbing my attention, firmness evident in his tone.
"You can see it for yourself." I answered, meeting his eyes- honesty shining in mine. "My eyes would have turned red, if I would have drunk from them."
He nodded his head in response, taking a few minutes to ponder over this.
"They still killed a human. That fact doesn't change." The alpha spoke up, glaring at me.
Who was this man?
No, really?
I already detested him, and I did not even know him.
"Jacob," Billy chided, sighing heavily. "Let's not make haste. This is not a child's play. This is serious business, the consequences much far reaching than you can even dread. I would not wish to start something innocents have to pay their life with."
Billy seemed to be a mature man- and not just because he had taken our side. He was aware that every action has a consequence, and sometimes the consequences are much more severe than one can even imagine, or bear.
"We can take them." Jacob declared, over confidence dripping from his tone.
I gave him a small smirk. Kids these days, you know!
Billy sighed. "I don't care of what you think. I am the chief of this entire tribe, not just of ten individuals. I have to worry about each and every innocent that lives on our land. I just can't- and won't- take a decision based on one man's opinion."
"They killed a human." Bella was the one to speak up, a question in her eyes.
Billy looked at her, sighing heavily- his emotions telling me a lot about the man. He loved Bella, paternal love shining in his eyes when he looked at her. She was like a daughter to him; at least that is what he saw her as. He was exhausted, as well, most probably by the events of the day- a thick layer of exhaustion and need to sleep settling over him.
"And maybe they did deserve it, but that is not the point here." Billy spoke up. "The point is that I don't wish to start something that leads to the death of several of my community members- Shape shifter or otherwise."
"They broke the treaty." Paul growled at Billy, demanding an answer.
"Paul Lahote," Billy met his eyes, authority in his words. "Don't forget who you are talking to. I am not your friend, or alpha, for that matter."
Paul grumbled, looking elsewhere.
"They did not feed from any human or change one." Billy sighed. "I understand that it is not exactly black and white as they did kill a human, fed or not immaterial, but considering the circumstances, and the fact that this is our first such experience since the treaty was made, I believe we should let this matter slide by."
A few growls of disagreement resounded through the air, the shape shifters craving a fight.
I wouldn't have minded a fight, personally speaking, but I did agree that a fight in the situation was really not required.
I had done what I thought was correct- my intention not to hurt anybody.
And let's be real, the humans in question could not be categorized as much of innocents.
Putting an entire tribe or a coven and three- I was not a part of their coven and never would be- at a risk seemed a little unneeded for the situation.
"I agree with you, Mr. Black." Carlisle spoke up. "We have lived in relative peace for these past few years, and I would wish for that to continue. Starting a fight has never been and will never be my intention. I would much rather prefer to live in harmony."
Billy nodded his head in agreement. "But, the action is done, and it cannot be completely erased. It does not work that way. How can we trust that something of this sort will never be attempted again? I wish to save lives- fed or not, a minor question in comparison."
"I give you my word, Sir." I spoke up instantly. Somehow I did not want the man to have a bad first impression of me. He was important to Bella….
Billy raised an eyebrow, looking at me. "Jasper Cullen?"
"Whitlock," I specified.
He gave me a nod of agreement. "Mr. Whitlock, I wish to trust you, and I expect that you will prove worthy of my trust."
"Dad," Jacob shouted in disbelief. All the shape shifters- and Bella- staring at Billy in disbelief.
No one had expected him to say something of this sort, but I did agree with the man- some things have to be done for the greater good, like them or not does not matter.
I was aware that he did not like my kind any more than Bella or Jacob did- his emotions a clear clue to that, but he had seen life and knew that personal enmity can prove very costly at times.
"Remember, we will be watching." He stated, meeting my eyes.
I nodded my head in agreement. "Sir, I am a man of my words. I will not feed on a human," At least not till I was stuck in the area, pondering over how to complete my assignment and return back home- no guarantee given after that. "And barring such a circumstance, I will not even kill another defenseless human. I give you my word on that."
Bella was in no way defenseless, you know- so it was technically not a lie.
He nodded his head in agreement, sighing- looking towards the other older man, a question in his eyes. "Quil, do you agree with my decision?"
The one named Quil frowned. "Will it matter if I say no? I don't specifically agree, but neither do I wish for a war. I am far too old to see my beautiful town go to the ruins, and even if we somehow manage to kill the lot of them, as the pack believe they can, they do have friends that can come seeking revenge- ten, twenty, thirty years from now. I don't wish for us to be in a situation wherein we have to keep looking at our backs for the rest of forever. I can agree with letting this matter go, if they give us a guarantee that nothing of this sort will ever occur again."
"It won't," Carlisle spoke on my behalf, giving me the 'we will talk about this later' look.
I rolled my eyes at his childish antics. I was not one of his 'children'. I was not afraid of his looks or talks. I respected the man, sort of…okay a little, but in no way was he anywhere close to being a parental figure for me.
In my mind he was simply the means for me to achieve what I wanted, as rude as that sounds.
"Very well then," Billy nodded his head. "The treaty stays as it was, and we expect any new member of your coven or guest, for that matter, to abide by it."
Carlisle nodded his head in agreement, giving us the silent indication that we should leave first. The pack would wait- before letting their guards' down- till we were out of the area.
They did not trust us at all, that much was obvious.
Rosalie frowned at that, but one look from Esme forced her into obeying.
These almost adults literally behaved like a bunch of five year olds who were afraid of their parent's anger and subsequent time out. It was astonishing, really.
I looked at Peter- a subtle nod telling me that there was no risk in turning our backs to them. The wolves were not going to attack, at least not today.
I trusted Peter with my life, his gift never steering me wrong, and as he had said, we were able to leave the treaty line without facing any surprise attack, running towards the Cullen home, ready for what I knew was about to come.
And, as expected…..
"I did not see this." The pixie cried out, banging the front door harshly, going as far as ignoring Esme's glare at her outburst. "Why did I not see this? I should have seen this."
I shrugged at her. How was I supposed to know the answer to that?
She was the seer here.
Though, I was truly glad that she could not see me in her visions. That was definitely good news, for me- if not for her.
"Why were you in Port Angeles, anyway?" Emmett enquired, taking a seat on the couch, waiting for me to answer.
"Yeah, even I would like to know the answer to that." Charlotte raised an eyebrow at me in question.
I shrugged at the two of them. "Like I said, I had some personal work."
"Jasper," Carlisle sighed. "This is not….as easy a matter as this looks. We could have ended up in a fight today. I understand that you felt bad for the girl…but…."
"Excuse me?" Rosalie sneered at him, taking a step ahead in his direction. "You want to complete that sentence?"
"Now Rosalie," Carlisle stated, only to hear a 'fuck you' from Rosalie- who turned and left the house, Emmett following her out.
I narrowed my eyes in confusion. Rosalie's emotions felt rather personal to the matter, almost as if she could imagine the fear that Bella had felt today.
I did not know much about her past, but I knew it was a sensitive topic for the coven.
Either way, for the first time it felt that Rosalie was not completely made of stone.
It was certainly surprising to see another side of hers.
"What I am trying to say is that…."
Peter interrupted Carlisle's words, nodding his head in agreement. "We understand, Carlisle. The treaty is important to you and your family. Got it! Now can I talk to Jasper? It is rather important and can't wait."
I raised an eyebrow at him in question.
What did he want to talk about now?
Why did everyone suddenly feel a need to talk to me?
Carlisle stared at him stunned, watching as Peter literally pushed me out of the Cullen house, forcing me to go with him deeper in the woods.
"What was that, Peter?" I demanded, my feet coming to a stop. "What did you want to talk about that can't wait?"
He sighed. "What is Bella Swan to you?"
I sputtered in response, my eyes wide in confusion. "What…what do you mean?"
"You very well know what I mean." He stated. "I am no idiot, Jas. I know you almost as well as you know yourself."
"You are crazy." I rolled my eyes at him. "She is my target. That is it. I am going to kill her and leave this dinky town forever."
"Really," he raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Of course," I spat the words out. "What did you expect?"
He sighed, shaking his head. "I hope you realize what is in your head before it is too late, and you have to choice but to repent."
I gave him a confused glance, but he was no longer staring at me- a shocked expression on his face.
I turned to see what he was looking at, my eyes widening in shock as well.
No.
This was not supposed to happen.
How had we not realized that someone was listening on to our conversation?
We were vampires. We were supposed to have supernatural hearing, easily realizing when someone was this close to us.
"Oh fuck," Peter spoke.
I nodded my head in agreement. That was accurate. We were fucked.